There's a storm brewing in Portland, Oregon. A storm in the local craft beer scene. Portland Brewing, a great craft brewery in an area loaded with great craft breweries, has gotten a little bigger. Back in February of this year, Portland Brewing "merged with" (i.e., bought) local brewer Saxer, who had bought out local brewer Nor'Wester a few years earlier.

There's a storm brewing in a bottle too:

Thunderhead Cream Stout. I was coming home from Boston the other day when I stopped at a liquor store I know carries good beers in Norwood. They had a nice selection of beers from Portland Brewing, which unfortunately they informed me have not been selling so well out here. As I looked them over, I was immediately attracted to the beautiful label : lightning bolts, clouds, a pint of dark brew, and a colorful logo. Having tried all of the other Portland beers available, I decided to go with a six-pack of this brew.

Thunderhead Cream Stout pours to a jet black color with a thick, creamy tan head formation. The nose hints at chocolate, espresso and licorice. The palate is smooth upfront as one would expect from a cream stout but quickly hints at the licorice the nose promised and finishes with roasty, bittersweet chocolate-pudding notes. This is Portland's spring seasonal, running from February to April. Mine was purchased just recently and has held up quite nicely over the summer.

I would pair this with fried oysters perhaps, but it's really best served as a dessert beer. The strong chocolate notes would lend it nicely to pairing with rich chocolate foods. Or just enjoy it on it's own.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft